Hi and Bonjour,
I am planning a backpacking trip to France for 3-4 weeks in Dec and early Jan. It's my first time there and I have a rough idea what I want to see and do:
1/ Paris
2/ Versailles
3/ journey towards south to Provence and stopping by big and small towns/villages on the way.
So, I really like culture immersion type travel, so I'm planning few days of homestays here and there. I don't think I will hire a car so the places that I plan to visit needs to be close to bus/train. I don't plan to ski, just soaking in the lifestyle and architecture of France.
So travellers out there, could you give me some guidance/opinions on France in Winter..eg weather, villages to see, homestays, local guides, food, festivals and 'don't go there' is ok too.
I appreciate any replies, thank you.
On the one hand, you seem to have an idea of what you want to do, and then you go on to say that you are basically clueless.
There is no bad time to visit France, since the pleasure of visiting the big cities or other sights without crowds in low season makes up for not having good weather to do it. Some places will be closed in the winter, but there is so much to see in France, that it is almost an advantage to have less to choose from.
As you will be in France during Christmas, I would have to encourage you to go to Alsace and particularly Strasbourg during that season.
Since you don't want to rent a car, I would recommend that you make a few itinerary (and date) decisions at least 2 months ahead of time and make some train reservations on the SNCF site (click on lower left for English) -- this make a difference, for example, of Paris-Marseille for 19€ instead of 94€ (full fare). When you get Prem's fares (the cheapest), you can print the tickets yourself. Sometimes the fares are so cheap that if your plans change, it is not even horrifying to abandon the tickets (non refundable, non exchangeable).
That's all for now.
I often travel in France during the winter months, and I think that the weather is generally milder than I'm used to at home--- you'll need to be ready for rain and possibly snow, but I've rarely been really cold while in France during the winter.
Getting to Versaille is very easy from central Paris. You'll take the RER line C, and look for a train that has the word "VICK" on a panel over the driver's window (and on a display that will show which trains are arriving at your station). The trains that are designated "VICK" will take you to the Versaille Rive Gauche staion, which is relatively close to the chateau, while the Rive Droite station is a longer walk, but not a disaster if you take the wrong train.
If you want to travel towards Provence, one possible route would take you through Dijon, Beaune, Lyon, Avignon, Arles, Aix-en-Provence, etc. Since you'll have plenty of time, maybe you could make a loop by then going to Toulouse and Carcassonne, and eventually back to Paris via Tours.
Hi Kerouac2 and Basie
Thank you for the tips.. I will research on them more.
There are a lot of things to do, I have narrowed it down a lot so thats why I want to know more about those places by locals or by people who have been there.
I am little clueless on which villages to visit, so some recommendation would be good. I know without a car to get to the villages is imppossible. I may have to be flexible on that part.
The tips on train prices and routes are great! Thank you....
I live in northern Japan, so snow/wind/rain is ok for me. Just by bringing winter clothes will put a few extra bulk in the backpack. :(
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